The powerful storm that hit the Darling Downs last week has caused at least $50 million of damage to crops and farm infrastructure. AgForce grains president Wayne Newton was among a group of advocates and government figures who inspected damaged properties yesterday and he said the damage was even more extensive than first thought. He said "several hundred" properties were affected when the 'super cell' struck the night before Christmas Eve and 75 cotton farms were being assessed. "It's quite startling, the amount of damage to both cotton crops and sorghum crops and a few corn crops," he said. "The cotton and the sorghum, in some parts of the storm, have literally been mown down. "You'd swear you'd driven over it with a mulching machine and just shredded the whole crop." Mr Newton said the storm had hit a tract of agricultural land from a point south of Cecil Plains, then headed north east to Bowenville and then continuing further north. However, the impact was felt much further afield, with homes damaged in Stanthorpe. Mr Newton is a grower himself and was among those whose crops were damaged. "This is absolutely the worst I have ever seen, the level of the damage. "I've had hail hit both my own cotton and sorghum and cotton over the years and it has certainly done plenty of harm, but in this case it is quite spectacular. "On top of that, there are a number of overhead irrigators, central pivots and lateral moves that have been tossed over. "[Farmers] will be up for considerable expense to have them reinstated and of course there is considerable damage to sheds and houses." Mr Newton said work had been continuing to get power reinstated to some locations, and some property were still without electricity. He said many growers will be covered by insurance, but given the scale of damage, it could be some time before insurance companies are able to assess all damage. Source - abc.net.au